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Is the BMW floating hub cap kit worth the money?

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[#1088]
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I’ve been eyeing the OEM BMW floating center caps for my G20 lately, but I’m on the fence about the price. I love that Rolls-Royce look where the logo stays perfectly upright while the wheels are spinning, but at nearly $100 for a set, I’m wondering if the novelty wears off. I’m specifically curious about the build quality—do they actually stay level at highway speeds, or do they start to tilt? Also, has anyone noticed issues with them getting stuck after a salty winter or a few trips through a car wash? For those who bought them, is the 'cool factor' really noticeable in person, or is it just a waste of cash?


6 Answers
19

In my experience, the BMW Floating Center Caps (56mm) are absolutely worth it if you're a bit of a perfectionist. I've had them on my G20 for two years now, and honestly, they still put a smile on my face every time I park.

- They stay perfectly level at highway speeds (no tilting!)
- Quality is solid; mine haven't seized even after salty winters.
- The 'cool factor' is subtle but definitely noticeable to other enthusiasts.

It's a small detail, but it really cleans up the look. Definitely go for it! 🏎️


18

Seconding the recommendation above! Honestly, I've used the BMW Floating Center Caps (56mm) 36122455268 for years across different builds, and from a technical perspective, they're surprisingly robust. They use a weighted internal pendulum system that's pretty well-sealed against road salt and grime. In my experience, as long as you don't blast them directly with a high-pressure washer at point-blank range, the bearings stay smooth and they won't tilt at highway speeds. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative to see if you like the vibe, you can find generic versions on Amazon, but the balancing is usually terrible compared to the OEM set. If you're a perfectionist about your G20's look, the genuine ones are the only way to go.


10

Seconding the recommendation above! Honestly, I've used the BMW Floating Center Caps (56mm) 36122455268 for years across different builds, and from a technical perspective, they're surprisingly robust. They use a weighted internal pendulum system that's pretty well-sealed against road salt and grime. In my experience, as long as you don't blast them directly with a high-pressure washer at point-blank range, the bearings stay smooth and they won't tilt at highway speeds. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative to see if you like the vibe, you can find generic versions on Amazon, but the balancing is usually terrible compared to the OEM set. If you're a perfectionist about your G20's look, the genuine ones are the only way to go.


8

Hmm, I’ve had a different experience with these than the previous posters. I remember back in my early days of modding, I’d jump at every OEM accessory, but after twenty years of maintaining bimmers, my perspective has shifted toward long-term utility. Not to disagree with the guys above, but respectfully, I’d consider another option or even just sticking with the stock caps.

Here’s the thing: I’ve run the BMW Floating Center Caps (56mm) 36122455268 on a previous G20 build, and while the engineering is cool, I found that the novelty wore off surprisingly fast. From a professional standpoint, they add unsprung weight—admittedly a tiny amount, but it’s there. Also, I noticed that after a rough Chicago winter with heavy road salt, the internal pendulum started to get a bit sluggish. They didn't get "stuck" per se, but they wouldn't level out as quickly at low speeds.

If you're looking for that 'Rolls-Royce' vibe, they do the job, but $100 for four pieces of plastic and a weight? Honestly, I'd rather put that money toward a high-quality maintenance item like the Liqui Moly Cera Tec Friction Modifier or even a better set of pads like the Akebono Euro Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pads. In person, most people won't even notice they're moving unless you're crawling in traffic. It's a neat party trick, but for a daily driver that sees car washes and winter grime, the standard BMW OEM Center Cap 36136850834 is much more durable and easier to clean. Just my two cents... stay practical out there!


3

Would love to know this too


3

Saw this earlier but just now responding. Honestly I was pretty disappointed with these after doing the install myself. For the price, the build quality just isnt where it should be and I ended up going back to stock.

  • They tend to trap road grime and fine grit in the weight mechanism which ruins the floating effect. Mine stopped spinning smoothly after just one bad storm.
  • Theres a real risk of scratching your wheels if you try to pop them out without a proper suction tool. Most guys just use a flathead and that ends badly for the finish.
  • The plastic feels kinda flimsy. I actually had one start rattling at highway speeds and it drove me crazy until I pulled it off. Not as good as expected tbh. Unfortunately it feels like a bit of a gimmick that wont last if you actually drive your car in anything but perfect weather. Save your cash for a decent torque wrench or something useful that actually helps with maintenance.


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